A federal judge in Georgia has ruled that former President Donald Trump’s campaign must cease using Isaac Hayes’ hit song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at rallies. This decision follows a lawsuit brought by Hayes’ estate, which accused Trump’s team of using the song without proper authorization. Judge Thomas Thrash Jr. issued a preliminary injunction on September 3, 2024, ordering the Trump campaign to immediately stop playing the song at events and in campaign videos. This ruling does not, however, require the campaign to remove past instances of the song’s use【18†source】【19†source】. Isaac
The lawsuit stems from repeated unauthorized usage of the song, co-written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, by the Trump campaign over the past two years. The Hayes estate claims that the campaign played the song at least 100 times during various rallies and public appearances. The song, originally performed by soul duo Sam & Dave in 1966, became a signature exit anthem for Trump at his events【18†source】.
Isaac Hayes III, the son of the late musician, celebrated the court’s decision, emphasizing that his family had never approved of the song being associated with Trump or his political message. He expressed hope that the ruling would encourage other artists who oppose the unauthorized use of their music to step forward and assert their rights. Hayes joins a growing list of musicians, including ABBA, Beyoncé, and the Foo Fighters, who have demanded that their work not be used in political contexts without permission【18†source】. Isaac
The case is emblematic of a broader trend where artists push back against politicians—especially Trump—for using their music at rallies without permission. Similar lawsuits and cease-and-desist letters have been filed by a wide array of artists and estates over the years, reflecting their concerns about the unintended endorsement of political candidates or causes. Despite the ruling, Trump’s attorney expressed satisfaction that the campaign would not be forced to remove previously recorded instances of the song’s use, noting that their intention was never to offend or annoy the Hayes family【19†source】. Isaac
This legal dispute highlights the complexities surrounding copyright law in political campaigns, particularly in the digital age. Songs used in political rallies, often broadcast widely on television and social media, can take on new meanings, linking artists to political messages they may not support. While politicians are legally allowed to play music in public spaces under certain licensing agreements, individual artists still have the right to control how their work is used, particularly in partisan settings. Isaac
The court’s ruling sets a precedent for future cases where artists may feel their work is being co-opted for political purposes without their consent. Although Trump’s campaign could pursue obtaining a proper license, the Hayes estate has made it clear that they would not approve any future use of Isaac Hayes’ music. For now, the ruling serves as a victory for the Hayes family, ensuring that their patriarch’s legacy remains aligned with their values, free from unwanted political associations【18†source】【19†source】. Isaac
The U.S. labor market is facing a notable cooling as job openings fell to their lowest level since January 2021, reflecting a broad-based decline in demand for workers. According to the Department of Labor, there were 7.7 million job openings by the end of July 2024, marking a sharp decline from the 12.2 million openings recorded in March 2022, during the post-pandemic hiring surge【6†source】.
The cooling trend is widespread across various sectors. Notably, the healthcare and social assistance fields saw a drop of 187,000 job openings, while state and local governments experienced a combined reduction of 121,000 vacancies, particularly in education. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities—a sector closely tied to economic activity—shed 88,000 openings, and construction saw a loss of 51,000 vacancies. Leisure and hospitality, which had been one of the hottest sectors post-pandemic, registered only a modest decrease of 2,000 openings【6†source】.
This decline in job openings is consistent with several other indicators of a softening labor market. Revisions in employment data, along with weaker-than-expected payroll growth, suggest that demand for labor is easing as the Federal Reserve’s higher interest rates put downward pressure on economic activity. As inflation concerns continue, the Fed’s tightening policy aims to moderate demand without triggering a significant rise in unemployment. Yet, the persistent cooling of the job market might prompt the Fed to reconsider its stance on interest rates【6†source】 .
Despite the overall trend, there are sectors that are bucking the decline. The federal government saw an increase of 28,000 openings, and manufacturing, particularly in durable goods, added 31,000 jobs. These sectors may be benefiting from longer-term trends such as government stimulus and shifts in global supply chains. Nevertheless, the drop in openings is a significant reversal from the job market’s strength in recent years, which was characterized by employers struggling to find workers, leading to a peak in job vacancies in early 2022 .
In addition to the fall in job openings, the “quits rate”—a measure of worker confidence—has stabilized at 3.3 million, down by 338,000 compared to the same time last year. This suggests that workers may be less confident about their ability to find new positions as opportunities dwindle. Layoffs, on the other hand, have remained steady at 1.8 million, indicating that companies are not yet resorting to widespread job cuts, despite the weaker demand for new workers【6†source】.
This labor market softening is an important indicator of broader economic shifts. With inflation remaining a concern, especially in sectors such as housing and energy, the labor market’s cooling could ease some of the wage pressures that have contributed to price increases. However, a slower labor market could also reduce consumer spending, which has been a critical driver of economic growth. Balancing these competing pressures will be key for policymakers as they navigate the next steps for the U.S. economy .
Overall, the job market is showing clear signs of cooling, with job openings at their lowest level since the early days of the pandemic recovery. While some sectors remain resilient, the broader decline in vacancies suggests that the economy may be entering a period of slower growth, with potential implications for both inflation and future Federal Reserve policy decisions.
